WickhamPark5000mCrossCountryCourseNotes
forCoaches
The current Wickham Park 5000m cross country course located on the grounds of Wickham Park in
Manchester Connecticut was recently certified and marked in July 2014 with the permission of Jeff Maron
(Wickham Park) by a group of individuals that included course architects George Suitor and Bill Baron,
USATF Course Certifiers Jim Gerweck and Steve Norris as well as Thom Jacobs (Paynes Corner Timing),
Kevin Over, Jeff Gee and Ron Knapp (MySportsResults.com).
The current course that was established in 2006 for regional, state, conference and invitational meets
includes surfaces that are predominantly grass with a short wood chip trail, a short dirt trail and nine
narrow park road crossings.
Measurement of the 5000m cross country course in the setting of Wickham Park was accomplished by
using USATF road race course standards and procedures as much as possible given the difference between
course surfaces. The goal of course certification was to establish measurement of permanent markers for
the start line, road fence boundaries, finish line, turns where no natural indicators as well as kilometer and
mile markers. With permission of park superintendent Jeff Maron, permanent course markers were added
that include blue and white road paint marks and embedded brick markers for the 1k, 1mi, 2k, 2mile and
4k. The course certification also established use of existing natural and man-made markers to provide
meet directors with a consistent point of references for marking the course for each meet.
The chart on the following pages contains descriptions and photos for each course reference point and
distance marker.
Updated: 9/29/2014
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Wickham Park 5000m Cross Country Course Notes
Mark
Start Line
Description
The start line is
pre-marked from
the turn tree to the
far backstop using
a 300m rope pulled
taught.
Turn
Markers
Turn marker after
second road
crossing
approximately
400m after the
start. Use the
existing Ultimate
Golf brick markers
to define this left
turn.
Directional
Markers
Paint lines should
direct runners to
the right side of the
tree line aiming for
the tree overhang
for the best tangent
to the 1km marker
and front side tree
turn.
Photo
Updated: 9/29/2014
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Mark
1-Km
Description
Brick marker
adjacent from end
of tree line in
middle of field
Directional
Markers
Paint lines should
direct runners to
the right side of the
tree for this left
turn.
Directional
Markers
Paint lines should
direct runners
towards the narrow
gap in bushes to
prepare for the
gentle left turn.
Photo
Updated: 9/29/2014
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Mark
Directional
Markers
Description
Paint lines should
direct runners
towards the left
side tree line to
prepare for the
gentle left turn.
1-Mile
Marker
Brick marker on left
side of path uphill
across from parking
lot.
2-km Marker
End of wood chip
trail
Photo
Updated: 9/29/2014
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Mark
Turn Marker
Description
After 2k at road
crossing
2500m Mark
The half way mark
for the course is 42
feet west of the
start line tree.
Photo
Updated: 9/29/2014
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Mark
Turn Marker
Description
A brick marker is
located behind start
line to define the
rope line that
extends from the
tree to the far
backstop.
3k Marker
After arriving at the
top of the 'Green
Monster' hill, the
course path is
defined as between
the trees (to the
right of picnic
tables if they exist)
towards the 3km
blue road mark.
Paint arrows to
direct the runners
through the trees.
Photo
Updated: 9/29/2014
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Mark
2 Mile
Marker
Description
Brick marker on
right side of course
immediately after
existing wood chip
path.
Road
Crossing
Marker
Blue paint markings
designate the road
crossing to the
front field after
exiting the woods.
Road
Crossing
Marker
Blue paint markings
designate the road
crossing to the
front field after
exiting the woods.
Photo
Paint course arrows
towards the large
tree in front field
for a gentle right
hand turn.
Updated: 9/29/2014
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Mark
4k Marker
Description
The brick marker is
located on the right
side of the path
after road crossing
from front field.
4k Marker
The brick marker is
located on the right
side of the path
after road crossing
from front field.
3mi Marker
The white paint
marker is on the
road below the
finish line.
Photo
Updated: 9/29/2014
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Mark
5k Marker Finishline
Description
The Finish line
maker is a blue
road mark adjacent
from the opposite
edge of the
guardrail.
Photo
Updated: 9/29/2014
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